Citing federal regulations, local talk radio station KFRU-AM has pulled Fred Parry, co-host of the "Morning Meeting" show, off the air until after the April 8 election.

Schnarre	Parry

Parry is a candidate for the Boone Hospital Board of Trustees, facing off against former Boone County Presiding Commissioner Keith Schnarre. Last Wednesday, Schnarre sent a letter to the station requesting equal air time, citing Federal Communications Commission regulations.

In the letter, Schnarre asked that station owner Cumulus Broadcasting "either take Mr. Parry off the air immediately until the election has past, so as not to create an unfair advantage for me or any other candidate" or "offer an equal amount of air time at no cost to opposing candidates to voice their position to audience."

Schnarre wrote that he made the request to "avoid confusion and campaign violations," in the event that Parry used his "position on-air to acknowledge his candidacy in any way."

John Walker, Cumulus vice president/market manager, said yesterday the decision to take Parry off the show was required by law. Broadcasters are required to give political candidates equal access to the federally regulated air waves.

"We took the necessary action required by the FCC," Walker said. "Federal law requires we give each candidate equal opportunity. If Fred occupies an hour and a half of prime daytime airtime, even if he doesn’t talk about this particular race, equal time" needs to be given "to the opposing party."

Walker said he would not comment on whether Parry would be paid during his time off the air because it is a personnel issue.

"I’m not in politics, I’m governed by the FCC, and I do what the FCC tells me," he said.

Parry said he does not know whether he’ll be paid, but he assumes he won’t.

"It’s not going to cause me to lose my house," he said. "They are willing to save my job for me, so whether I get paid or not doesn’t really matter. It’s the fact that I can come back."

The show’s other co-host, Simon Rose, is on paternity leave, Parry said, and guest hosts will fill until then. "It’s really unfortunate timing for KFRU, because it’s a major ratings period," Parry said. "I wish Mr. Schnarre would have more of a congenial attitude about the race."

Five years ago, Parry ran for a seat on the hospital board and was allowed to co-host the show after opponents signed a waiver drawn up by the station’s legal counsel. Parry said he did not discuss the race on his show. Since then, the station has changed management, and Schnarre said he was never given the opportunity to sign such a waiver.

"I don’t know if I would sign it now," Schnarre said yesterday.

Other local radio personalities have dealt with similar issues when running for office. Chris Kelly, a candidate in 2000 for associate circuit judge was also a KFRU host but ended the show when he became a likely judicial appointee by the governor.

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